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Strategy First: How Businesses Win Big
Business Success Requires Strategy First
In Strategy First, Brad Chase, the mind behind some of Microsoft’s largest and most successful initiatives, explains why building robust strategies is the imperative to business success. Chase leads readers through his easy-to-use strategy model, Strategy = E x mc², which teaches readers the art of strategy—how to build and execute winning strategies relative to the competition. To supplement the model, Chase provides 5 key tips to strategy prosperity and over 50 examples from a broad range of businesses that help the reader think about how they can use his Strategy First toolkit. The author will inspire readers to examine the effectiveness of their current strategies, using the model that has served him in his distinguished career.
Chase began his Microsoft tenure in 1987, where his award-winning marketing campaign promoting Windows 95 broke numerous records, and his efforts as MSN.com’s leader prompted a turnaround of the site’s success. Chase ended his tenure at Microsoft in 2002 and since then has served as an advisor and board member to many companies, such as GE, Brooks, Expedia, and the Boys and Girls Club. Chase has also shared his Strategy First approach across the nation through speeches to large and small business executives, incubators, students at topflight MBA programs, and at conferences.
In Strategy First, Brad Chase, the mind behind some of Microsoft’s largest and most successful initiatives, explains why building robust strategies is the imperative to business success. Chase leads readers through his easy-to-use strategy model, Strategy = E x mc², which teaches readers the art of strategy—how to build and execute winning strategies relative to the competition. To supplement the model, Chase provides 5 key tips to strategy prosperity and over 50 examples from a broad range of businesses that help the reader think about how they can use his Strategy First toolkit. The author will inspire readers to examine the effectiveness of their current strategies, using the model that has served him in his distinguished career.
Chase began his Microsoft tenure in 1987, where his award-winning marketing campaign promoting Windows 95 broke numerous records, and his efforts as MSN.com’s leader prompted a turnaround of the site’s success. Chase ended his tenure at Microsoft in 2002 and since then has served as an advisor and board member to many companies, such as GE, Brooks, Expedia, and the Boys and Girls Club. Chase has also shared his Strategy First approach across the nation through speeches to large and small business executives, incubators, students at topflight MBA programs, and at conferences.
- GenresBusiness
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2020
15 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Brad Chase
4 books7 followersBrad Chase has had a broad and extensive business career. He has advised leaders of businesses of many different sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 firms, and in many different kinds of markets, from mobile and education to enterprises and consumer services. Some of the companies he has worked with include GE, Telstra, VMware, Mozy (a subsidiary of EMC), Blucora, Sonos, Vizrea, and Crisply. He has also held leadership positions on the boards of many companies and nonprofit organizations, including Expedia, Ooyala, DreamBox, Brooks, Boys and Girls Clubs of King County, and The Nature Conservancy. As a public speaker, Brad has spoken about his particular theory on business strategy, Strategy First, to executives at large and small businesses, to incubators, at conferences, and to students at topflight MBA programs.
Before consulting, board work, and speaking, Brad spent 14 years at Microsoft finishing his tenure as a Senior Vice President and Executive Officer managing a team of over 4,000. From April 1999 until mid-2002, Brad led MSN.com’s transformation from an unsuccessful internet service to the worldwide traffic and search leader. Under his leadership at MSN, search traffic, revenue, and internal team morale all more than doubled.
Prior to MSN, Brad led marketing for the client and server business for Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Internet Explorer (IE) versions one through five. Brad’s marketing team introduced a new, more profitable product strategy for the server and client businesses, successfully launched Windows 98 and Windows 2000, and helped IE become the market leader. Brad also developed and led the marketing strategy, execution, and worldwide, record-breaking launch of Windows 95, which is often considered the event and product that ushered computers and software into the mainstream. Brad and his team won numerous awards for the Windows 95 marketing effort. Brad also oversaw the launches for both MS-DOS 5 and MS-DOS 6 and was the first marketing leader for Microsoft Office.
In addition to his nonprofit board work and personal giving, Brad has donated tens of thousands of dollars to charitable causes through his side company Entspire, maker of the fun and fascinating origins game, Orijinz.
Prior to joining Microsoft in 1987, Brad worked as a sales representative for Boise Cascade's office products division. He holds an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and a BS degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
More about Brad can be found on his website: bradchase.net.
His first book, Strategy First: How Businesses Win Big, releases in June 2020.
Before consulting, board work, and speaking, Brad spent 14 years at Microsoft finishing his tenure as a Senior Vice President and Executive Officer managing a team of over 4,000. From April 1999 until mid-2002, Brad led MSN.com’s transformation from an unsuccessful internet service to the worldwide traffic and search leader. Under his leadership at MSN, search traffic, revenue, and internal team morale all more than doubled.
Prior to MSN, Brad led marketing for the client and server business for Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Internet Explorer (IE) versions one through five. Brad’s marketing team introduced a new, more profitable product strategy for the server and client businesses, successfully launched Windows 98 and Windows 2000, and helped IE become the market leader. Brad also developed and led the marketing strategy, execution, and worldwide, record-breaking launch of Windows 95, which is often considered the event and product that ushered computers and software into the mainstream. Brad and his team won numerous awards for the Windows 95 marketing effort. Brad also oversaw the launches for both MS-DOS 5 and MS-DOS 6 and was the first marketing leader for Microsoft Office.
In addition to his nonprofit board work and personal giving, Brad has donated tens of thousands of dollars to charitable causes through his side company Entspire, maker of the fun and fascinating origins game, Orijinz.
Prior to joining Microsoft in 1987, Brad worked as a sales representative for Boise Cascade's office products division. He holds an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and a BS degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
More about Brad can be found on his website: bradchase.net.
His first book, Strategy First: How Businesses Win Big, releases in June 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 16, 2020
A Who’s who of Business examples to accompany the strategic initiatives!!
An interesting mix of strategic formulas, and examples from well-known companies. All names you will readily recognize, with behind-the-scenes stories you may not already know. From the rise then fall then rise again of GM, to the battle between Netflix and blockbuster.
Strategies include a business version of E+ mc2, the 5 types of change, finding gaps and adapting to tides.
Easy to read with strategies laid out in an easy-to-understand manner.
**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**
An interesting mix of strategic formulas, and examples from well-known companies. All names you will readily recognize, with behind-the-scenes stories you may not already know. From the rise then fall then rise again of GM, to the battle between Netflix and blockbuster.
Strategies include a business version of E+ mc2, the 5 types of change, finding gaps and adapting to tides.
Easy to read with strategies laid out in an easy-to-understand manner.
**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**
August 17, 2020
Strategy. Such an ominous word. Most of us strategize in our heads every day without realizing it. For some, it has connotations of excessive work and we avoid it at all costs. For leaders, nothing will change and mass confusion becomes the state of work without of written strategy. For the longest time, I preferred to keep my business and life strategies in my head, and not surprisingly, it is not effective. For the past few years, I have been writing my strategies down to reach goals and most importantly, to empower my team. They cannot perform if they have no clue what they are working towards and why.
The new book Strategy First – How Businesses Win Big by Brad Chase is one of the first books highlighting business strategy that I have enjoyed in a long time. The book is an easy read, fun, relevant, has over 50 company examples of corporate strategy. I learn best by real-world examples and Brad’s book kept me entertained. I learned ideas to incorporate into my life that are reasonable and not just all theory.
Brad has an impressive background leading at Microsoft and MSN where he worked with teams at all levels to set strategy. He illustrated how strategies can flow down so that everyone was on board. Likewise, he was open to new ideas and craved input from the employees in areas that are doing the work.
Brad has proven that success is all about strategy and without it, no plan is complete. He developed an effective theory that any business or person can incorporate into day. E x mc2 can teach strategy to build and execute winning strategies relative to the competition. The three elements are:
• C: Customer, the most important factor as noted in the equation
• M: Market potential
• E: Execution – There are three variables here including strategic, customer value, and financial
Managers should adhere to the Strategy First Score (SFS) when using the equation. Doing so allows us to calculate a score that offers both an analytical and visual representation of how your strategy stacks up to the competition. A quality strategy is unbiased and is an independent method to remain ahead of the game in the same competitive business arena.
Here are some factors that address change within our equation:
• Technology
• Innovation
• New Business Model
• Societal Trends
• New Markets
Brad offers interesting examples of companies in a variety of fields to illustrate how the factors above can make an impact. The stories are my favorite part of the book because they offer numerous “Aha” moments. Not only did I remain engaged, but I was also entertained throughout the entire book.
Strategy First spends ample time looking at what factors can influence our strategy in an ever-changing world. Note that these are similar to internal factors that influence us. Brad calls them TIDE:
• Technology
• Institutional
• Demographics
• Economics and environmental
• Social
No company can live in a bubble or without international competition and factors that can put a company out of business quickly. If Covid19 has taught us anything, those companies that are nimble and can change tactics on a dime will survive. Strategy First unintentionally addresses the pandemic that we are struggling with what Brad calls “Expanding the Universe” factors. To me, these are very relevant right now.
• Develop or change products and services
• Partnerships
• Adapt to change
• Expansion plans that consistent with your strategy
• Mergers and acquisitions
A strategy is worthless if it is not executed and followed by action. Don’t write one just to say that you have one. Live it every day. Leaders need to make priorities clear and concise. This involves alignment, communication, and most importantly, tracking. You will never know if your strategy is working if you fail to track progress. Moreover, you must be willing to make swift changes to new challenges. You want your strategy to grow and prosper over time. Here are some tips to bring strategy growth and success.
• Seek change
• Mine any gaps
• Adapt to the tides mentioned earlier
• Expand the universe
• Climb short walls and build tall walls
I thoroughly enjoyed Strategy First by Brad Chase! I have read other strategy books and they have been so theoretical or intense I quickly lost my concentration. I did not have any actionable strategies or ideas that I could personally apply.
Business is disrupted by the pandemic. I have had to revisit my strategies in several categories to align with the current environment. Several of my goals have changed and how I address growing key financial areas is upside down.
If you are committed to strategy and have been turned off by other resources, read Brad’s book. I promise that you will not be disappointed and will come away with at least a few nuggets!
The new book Strategy First – How Businesses Win Big by Brad Chase is one of the first books highlighting business strategy that I have enjoyed in a long time. The book is an easy read, fun, relevant, has over 50 company examples of corporate strategy. I learn best by real-world examples and Brad’s book kept me entertained. I learned ideas to incorporate into my life that are reasonable and not just all theory.
Brad has an impressive background leading at Microsoft and MSN where he worked with teams at all levels to set strategy. He illustrated how strategies can flow down so that everyone was on board. Likewise, he was open to new ideas and craved input from the employees in areas that are doing the work.
Brad has proven that success is all about strategy and without it, no plan is complete. He developed an effective theory that any business or person can incorporate into day. E x mc2 can teach strategy to build and execute winning strategies relative to the competition. The three elements are:
• C: Customer, the most important factor as noted in the equation
• M: Market potential
• E: Execution – There are three variables here including strategic, customer value, and financial
Managers should adhere to the Strategy First Score (SFS) when using the equation. Doing so allows us to calculate a score that offers both an analytical and visual representation of how your strategy stacks up to the competition. A quality strategy is unbiased and is an independent method to remain ahead of the game in the same competitive business arena.
Here are some factors that address change within our equation:
• Technology
• Innovation
• New Business Model
• Societal Trends
• New Markets
Brad offers interesting examples of companies in a variety of fields to illustrate how the factors above can make an impact. The stories are my favorite part of the book because they offer numerous “Aha” moments. Not only did I remain engaged, but I was also entertained throughout the entire book.
Strategy First spends ample time looking at what factors can influence our strategy in an ever-changing world. Note that these are similar to internal factors that influence us. Brad calls them TIDE:
• Technology
• Institutional
• Demographics
• Economics and environmental
• Social
No company can live in a bubble or without international competition and factors that can put a company out of business quickly. If Covid19 has taught us anything, those companies that are nimble and can change tactics on a dime will survive. Strategy First unintentionally addresses the pandemic that we are struggling with what Brad calls “Expanding the Universe” factors. To me, these are very relevant right now.
• Develop or change products and services
• Partnerships
• Adapt to change
• Expansion plans that consistent with your strategy
• Mergers and acquisitions
A strategy is worthless if it is not executed and followed by action. Don’t write one just to say that you have one. Live it every day. Leaders need to make priorities clear and concise. This involves alignment, communication, and most importantly, tracking. You will never know if your strategy is working if you fail to track progress. Moreover, you must be willing to make swift changes to new challenges. You want your strategy to grow and prosper over time. Here are some tips to bring strategy growth and success.
• Seek change
• Mine any gaps
• Adapt to the tides mentioned earlier
• Expand the universe
• Climb short walls and build tall walls
I thoroughly enjoyed Strategy First by Brad Chase! I have read other strategy books and they have been so theoretical or intense I quickly lost my concentration. I did not have any actionable strategies or ideas that I could personally apply.
Business is disrupted by the pandemic. I have had to revisit my strategies in several categories to align with the current environment. Several of my goals have changed and how I address growing key financial areas is upside down.
If you are committed to strategy and have been turned off by other resources, read Brad’s book. I promise that you will not be disappointed and will come away with at least a few nuggets!
April 4, 2022
One of the best books on business I’ve read in a while. Full of clear examples of his points on strategy. “When we are an inch apart at the leadership level, our product teams end up miles apart in execution.”
Chase develops a well rounded thesis. Beginning with elements of a successful strategy, then moving on to the key elements of a strategy, and execution tips, he develops a compelling argument for strategy as the critical starting point.
Highly recommended
Chase develops a well rounded thesis. Beginning with elements of a successful strategy, then moving on to the key elements of a strategy, and execution tips, he develops a compelling argument for strategy as the critical starting point.
Highly recommended
June 15, 2020
Strategy First was not at all what I was expecting, but it was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time. I was expecting the standard business book where someone reiterates the importance of having a good strategy and executing it, but really offers nothing new. So, while Brad Chase does say strategy is important and he has an interesting formula he uses to calculate how effective your strategy is, he spends most of the book highlighting companies and products we’ve all heard about and how successful or not their strategies were. Through this process, you can see where some leaders lacked vision or were so arrogant they thought no other company could best them. I learned as much from the ineffective examples as I did from the effective. However, many of the effective strategies showed amazing brilliance. Each chapter covers a particular element of a winning strategy: Does your strategy help you extend an advantage in technology, innovation, societal change? Are there new markets, new buyers, or new ways a market can help? Can you mine a gap? And then how do you execute well, get the message out, build relationships, etc. to be successful. In short, you’ll learn about strategy, but you’ll also learn the fascinating strategy history behind many of the most successful and unsuccessful businesses. I received an ARC for review, but in the end I truly liked the book.
April 21, 2022
If you want success in your business endeavors, then this book is one worth your time to read and keep handy for reference.
The author teaches the importance of having set strategies before actions. To this end, he shares the successes of those he's helped along the way. Then gives you clear guidance on how to implement this into your own business or job.
If you want to succeed - make sure you have the correct tools and resources on hand to help you. This is one of those for your arsenal of succeeding.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author with no expectation in return. The opinion above is my own.
The author teaches the importance of having set strategies before actions. To this end, he shares the successes of those he's helped along the way. Then gives you clear guidance on how to implement this into your own business or job.
If you want to succeed - make sure you have the correct tools and resources on hand to help you. This is one of those for your arsenal of succeeding.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author with no expectation in return. The opinion above is my own.
July 12, 2020
Once the reader gets past the overuse of the first person pronoun (ego alert), there are some useful elements in this book. It also serves as a somewhat useful history of the tech industry. Published in 2020, it is difficult to believe that this book will be relevant in five years due to the wide use of contemporary examples. This is so, despite the author heavily leaning on his past success (at least according to him) at Microsoft from 1987 to 2002.
May 27, 2020
Strategy First explains why building powerful strategy is the imperative to business success. Mr. Chase leads readers through his model and how it applies to an organizatio's strategy, leadership and operation. Real world examples provide insight to how to formulate and implement strategy regardless of the type of organization. Well worth the time investment.
June 14, 2020
Strategy First was an easy and enjoyable read. Though I find fault with his SFS model -- too subjective, not enough validation; why not just rank companies instead of going through this very non-scientific "calculation" -- I was fine with any other points he made in his book. I worried the content may be too Microsoft-leaning, but Chase covers other companies to offer a wider array of examples.
February 15, 2021
The area this book excels is in the many real life examples, some well known and some obscure, that reinforce the importance of business strategy. It’s attempt to provide a formula to quantify strategy seems a bit of an overreach. Some points were repeated excessively. That made the book about one chapter too long. It also felt a bit dated due to how business has been impacted by COVID19.
July 8, 2020
This book has excellent illustrations to explain why strategy is so important to leadership and business. I enjoyed learning some history as well as discover why strategizing may be more key than anything else in leading to the future.
June 7, 2020
Excellent book on why strategy and its related components come first.
April 22, 2022
This is an approachable and practical primer for those interested in learning how to learn or improve their business strategy skills.
September 25, 2024
Easy to read yet filled with useful information. With each bit of knowledge relevant stories were told which was helpful. Didn’t feel overly simplified or common knowledge repackaged.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews